Elections to 4,300 union parishads could be delayed
Starting of staggered elections to over 4,300 union parishads (UP) might be delayed because of completion of final voter list and Ramadan.
Election Commission officials yesterday said although elections were supposed to begin after March 21, it might be delayed as the final voter list will be published on March 2.
The officials said after publication of final voter list, they would need several more days to prepare compact disc of the lists to be sent to different election offices.
"Ramadan will be observed from mid-April; we would not be able to complete the all works to start election by March 21. So there is strong chance that election will start in late May after the Eid-ul-Fitr," a source said preferring not to be named.
Election Commissioner Kabita Khanom yesterday told journalists that they would consider the issue of voter list and Ramadan while announcing the UP election schedules.
Usually, UP elections take place every five years.
The EC had announced schedule for Union Parishad elections to be held in six phases. The previous round of polls were held on March 22, March 31, April 23, May 7, May 28 and June 4 in 2016.
However, the tenure of the chairmen begin from the day of his first meeting in office, and elections can also be held before the tenure ends.
The source said if it is not possible to hold election government even within the end of the current chairmen's tenure, the government has another option in hand. They can delay the election citing a "reasons of an act of God"; and the elections can be held within ninety days following the last day of tenure of the current office holders.
The UP chairman elections will see direct participation of political parties for the second time this year.
Registered political parties will be able to take part only in chairmen elections. Only non-party candidates will take part in elections of members and reserved women seats.
Of the 4,500 union parishads, more than 4,300 are eligible for polls.
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